If you’re considering living in Phoenix, you’re probably in search of safe neighborhoods with good affordability and amenities. With warm weather year-round, great outdoor recreation opportunities nearby, and a mix of ranches, as well as Modern, Spanish Revival, and Mediterranean-style homes for sale, the Valley of the Sun is a fantastic place to live. Here are the best neighborhoods to live in Phoenix!
Ahwatukee Foothills
- Home Price: $342,106 median purchase price; $1,568 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 73% of Phoenix neighborhoods
- Best For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Families can find great apartments and homes to rent or buy in Ahwatukee Foothills that are close to well-rated schools like Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School, Summit School, and Desert Vista High School. The Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA also offers affordable childcare and a Kids Club, as well as a gym, pool, pickleball courts, and more for everyone to enjoy. Bordering the South Mountain Park and Preserve, this Phoenix neighborhood is home to a number of trailheads, along with tons of other indoor and outdoor rec spots. Hike or bike the Corona de Loma Trail or Desert Foothills Loop. Book a tee time or grab a bite to eat in the Sunset Grill restaurant at Foothills Golf Club. Browse the shelves for books, music, movies, and more, or view the collection of Mexican folk art at the Ironwood Library branch of Phoenix Public Library. Get all-day breakfast with dishes like Apple Jack Pancakes, the Croque Monsieur, and the Farmers Omelette at Hillside Spot. Grab a Barbacoa Taco, Chipotle Chicken Wrap, or Ceviche to-go at Phoenix Mexican restaurant El Fogon Taqueria. Or order a dinner combo of Chicken Katsu with Seaweed Salad and Escolar Sushi at Tabe Mono.
Camelback East
- Home Price: $326,034 median purchase price; $1,162 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 40% of Phoenix neighborhoods
- Best For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
A massive Phoenix neighborhood located along the Scottsdale border, Camelback East has a ton of things to do! Most notably, the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden are two popular Phoenix attractions in the area. In the north part of the neighborhood, you’ll also find the Phoenix Mountains Preserve with a picturesque hike up to Piestewa Peak. And if you’re interested in living in Phoenix but still want to travel, Camelback East might be perfect for you, as it’s just north of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Even if you’re not the jet-setting type, this Phoenix neighborhood has plenty of interesting activities within its borders. Walk through exhibit halls like the Hall of Heroes and Wildland Firefighting at the Hall of Flame Fire Museum, which features a wide variety of historical fire engines and other equipment. Book a Castle Tour or wander through The Cactus Gardens on the grounds of the historic “Jewel in the Sonoran Desert,” Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights. Start the day right with Funky Monkey French Toast, a Sunrise Omelette, or Lox & Bagel at Luci’s at the Orchard. Try Mexican favorites like Super Taquitos, a Shrimp Tamale, or El Pollo Fundido at Aunt Chilada’s. Or sample the Sashimi Platter, Tonkatsu Sando, or Niku Miso Ramen from Nanaya Japanese Kitchen.
Deer Valley
- Home Price: $227,767 median purchase price; $1,386 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 60% of Phoenix neighborhoods
- Best For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Deer Valley is a great North Phoenix neighborhood for outdoor enthusiasts! The neighborhood’s namesake Deer Valley Park is home to Deer Valley Pool, Deer Valley Dog Park, and Deer Valley Community Center. You can also explore almost 1,000 acres of the Sonoran Desert with basalt volcanic rock formations and multiple trails at the Deem Hills Recreation Area, or play on the sports fields and sign up for a baseball league at Victory Lane Sports Park. For the avid reader, Deer Valley also has two branches of the Phoenix Public Library, the Agave Library and Juniper Library. Or if you’re seeking adventure, spend the day riding the Anaconda, Big Kahuna, or Bonzai Pipelines waterslides before relaxing in Hurricane Bay at Hurricane Harbor Phoenix. Head out on a self-guided quarter-mile nature trail hike with local Sonoran Desert flora and fauna, as well as ancient petroglyphs, at the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve. For dinner in Phoenix, taste unique Chinese-Mexican fusion dishes like a Chinese BBQ Pork Bowl, Pollo Diablo Bowl, or Jerk Fried Rice from Chino Bandido. Order a Brisket Sandwich, Midwest Monster, or Pulled Chicken Burrito at Pork on a Fork BBQ, the “Barbecue Capital of Arizona.” Or catch the next big game on walls of TV screens while you snack on the Meatza Pizza, Dino’s BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger, or the Little Italy Sub at Santisi Brothers Pizzeria & Sports Grill.
North Mountain Village
- Home Price: $217,423 median purchase price; $1,140 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 20% of Phoenix neighborhoods
- Best For: Students, singles, young professionals, families
A defining part of the North Mountain Village neighborhood in Phoenix is the Arizona State University West Valley Campus, making the area a great choice for young professionals looking for continued education and career development opportunities! North Mountain Village is also home to attractions like Let It Roll Bowling & Entertainment, the indoor skate park and arcade at Great Skate, and the North Phoenix Zia Records location, which offers a large collection of vinyl, movies, and retro video game titles. Meet up with your friends for a pick-up game of soccer, volleyball, pickleball, and other sports on the lighted courts at Rose Mofford Sports Complex. Explore a local Phoenix amusement park with rides like the Desert Storm, Splashdown, or Sea Dragon at Castles N’ Coasters. Grab a Double Brisket Plate, Yager Dager, or Pork Rib Plate from Little Miss BBQ Sunnyslope. Stop by a North Phoenix Italian restaurant for Baked Rigatoni, Lasagna, or Manicotti at Anzio’s Italian Restaurant. Or book a reservation with a fantastic view overlooking the city and eat Daily Feature meals like Nueske’s Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin or Black Truffle Carnaroli Risotto at Different Pointe of View.
Paradise Valley Village
- Home Price: $317,249 median purchase price; $1,528 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 67% of Phoenix neighborhoods
- Best For: Families, retirees
Though a great area for all ages, Paradise Valley Village attracts primarily families and retirees for its amenities. Home to great schools for all ages—from Desert Shadows Middle School and Horizon High School, to Paradise Valley Community College—Paradise Valley Village also boasts several Phoenix golf courses, including the executive Paradise Valley Golf Course and public Orange Tree Golf Resort, both of which have excellent amenities and beautiful 18-hole courses. Tour the largest music instrument museum in the world to see over 7,500 instruments from 200+ different countries and play some music in the Experience Gallery, or attend the summer concert series at the Phoenix Musical Instrument Museum (MIM). Get hands-on with exhibits in the Science Center, view nebulas captured by the Hubble Telescope in the Deep Space Gallery, or marvel at the night sky in the Planetarium at the Earth & Space Expedition Center. Begin your morning at a Phoenix brunch spot for Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, an All American Breakfast, or a Golden Waffle at Sunshine Breakfast Bar. Order the Fundido, Burrito de la Casa, or Chimichanga at Valle Luna. Or try Mediterranean favorites like Greek Cheese Fries, the Chicken Shawarma Pita, and Falafel Pita at Gyro House 32.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
